why am I hesitating

pama

My Fiance wants to get me a dog for christmas. I absolutey LOVE dogs but for some reason I am being very non commital on it... am I just being stupid?

I guess it would be a big change for us having a dog in the house as we are kinda used to just having each others company....

koneko

Depends on your situation really, I'd LOVE to get a dog aswell but it wouldn't be wise. I work all day, as does my bf, no one would be home during the day to take care of him/her.

Getting a dog isn't as "light" a decision as some people seem to think. They require attention, time, work, money, it's almost like having a baby. You're right to have doubts and to think about it, it's not like buying a pair of shoes or an Xbox.

koneko

koneko wrote:

They require attention, time, work, money,

it's not like buying an Xbox.

Hmm, me thinks you're contradicting yourself koneko! My x-box needs attention, time, work and a whole lot of money!!!

Beruthiel

off to the animals/pet forum
B

Kingsize

dont mean to sound like a cliche but a dog is for life not for xmas
even a goldfish is gonna take upyour time so your'e right to hesitate.

Nala

Besides the above, Christmas is the worst time to get a new puppy or kitten! It's hard enough keeping them out of mischief when everything is normal, let alone when there's a Christmas tree to be knocked over/decorations to eat/loads of junk food to beg for/new presents to chew! It's a stressful enough time for an established pet, let alone a new one.

SantaHoe

pama wrote:

I absolutey LOVE dogs but for some reason I am being very non commital on it... am I just being stupid?

No way, you're totaly right to think about it.
It's a pet/owner partnership that'll probably last over the next ten years... dogs need care, attention, food and walkies... like a big hairy baby.
Try to think of it more as adopting a dog together, rather than you getting one as a present.
At least doing it this way, you won't end up being on the recieving end of "I'm not cleaning up this turd, it's your dog - you do it.", and your fiance will have to buy you an actual present.
I just think the whole giving-as-a-present idea is like starting on a false premise... what happens when your wonderful cute Christmas present has the scutts all over your expensive rug? Would you still want the dog? Would you love it as much as you did when you unwrapped it? (j/k )
Dogs are an absolute joy (as I'm sure you know, since you say you love them!), but think about the reality of the long term and how much time and space you can offer a doggy.
If you're sure you can give one a good home, then go for it

Tiriel

also.. just make sure that if you are going away for weekends etc that you have either someone to take care of him while you're away or the means of getting him to a kennel! Poor doggie!!

Nasty_Girl

Dogs are a full days work, especially puppies and depending on what amount of holidays you have over christmas you need to think about whether or not you have time to help him/her settle in to his/her new home!
Also remember these words of wisdom my dad gave me-
"Its easier to get someone to babysit your child than it is to get them to mind your dog for a few days"

All that said my fella bought me a chipmunk for an anniversry and I never regretted it!

Nala

Yeah, two of my birds were presents. *However* they weren't surprises. I'd wanted each of them for months before deciding to get one and I had done a hell of a lot of reading about them.

irlirishkev

Also, something to consider: If you both work during the day, which means the dog is left on it's own for that period of time, then you shouldn't get one. It's simply not fair. Dogs crave attention and love. They're pack animals, and shouldn't have to stay on their own for 8 hours a day 5 days a week..

Kevin.

uberwolf

aside from all the dog issues - as this was posted as a PI. What does it represent in terms of your relationship? I've heard it put that blokes will get a puppy to postpone the broodiness of a woman - how are you like that?

pama

Thanks For all your comments guys. On reflection now I feel I was hesitating because i think to get a dog around christmas isn't right for me because we both spend christmas eve at our folks houses, spend christmas day in our folks houses, go visiting on stephens day, and we are going away for the 27/28th. I feel i need to be at home for the entire period so the dog can settle in.

As for us both working during the day well I know what some of you are saying and is it right or wrong. I'm not sure to be honest. All i know is thousands of people are in the same situation as us and they manage! To say it's cruel is a bit harsh because at the end of the day I can give a dog a good home and loads of attention and love.

Anyway we have decided to hold off till things settle down early in the new year and then get one

koneko

pama wrote:

All i know is thousands of people are in the same situation as us and they manage!

Just because other people are doing it doesn't mean it's good for the dogs. If you're going to do that, consider getting 2 dogs. Imagine leaving a kid at home alone all day, 8 hours, with nothing to do. Dogs can become depressed and destructive when they're left alone for that long. At least look into the option of a neighbour/friend/relative looking in on the dog during the day and taking him/her for a walk. Leaving a dog alone all day really isn't fair on the dog.

fenris

Two dogs are a much better plan, twice the food but 75% of the effort they are pack animals and puppies especially view seperation as a close relative of being abandoned to die!

A slightly older dog may be worth investigating, benefits include housetraining, walking on the lead and general cop on. Also a younger dog will learn from and be guided by an older dog.

My suggestion is that you check out
Irish Animals
with a view to adopting a dog that knows the ropes, and once that dog is settled in i.e. knows where to poo, sleep, what and who not to eat, get your puppy and take it from there. Lots of great info and contacts on that site, most of the dogs have been fostered for a while before being put up on the site, this means that you can believe the descriptions of the dogs temperament.

If you do go ahead make sure that you take out pet insurance, hairy folks can be expensive sometimes. You local vet will probably have info about training, socialisation classes and puppy parties (as much for the owner as for the doggies).

Our man in Havana

Hi,

I like the fact that you are giving it lots of thought! A pet is a full time care package - just LIKE a baby in fact! I have 2 brothers that are looking for homes, my sister-in-law was gonna dump them in the pound & at this time of year that means death! So I now have 12 doggies here so its kinda chaotic! But we cope! The pups do like to play with the decorations but once they are told nope - they stop!

I would also say 2 dogs will be company for each other - they will play all day without problems - I would also say that it will be better to wait till after xmas once things are normal again! Fenris is also right pet issurance can be a god send - Dogs will also need to be spayed/neutered & vaccinated - which costs money! Once this has been done it is just a case of feeding, worming & de-fleaing.

Faye-Bond

delly

I have been waiting to get 2x golden retrievers for the last 5 years or so, and i've just completed the first part of my plan which is to buy a bigger house. Both my wife and i work all day so the second part of my plan will be to find some way that the dogs are not on there own all day. I don't think it would be fair to spend 8-9 hours alone per day. But i know it will happen soon enough, and i can't wait when it does, as i have the names picked out and all.

/me cuts out ad for a night shift supervisor, and gives to wife

pama

Thanks to you all!! you have talked me in to it! we are now considering getting 2 golden retrievers! My question now is, if I am lucky enough to get 2 brothers or 2 sisters or whatever how much is it going to cost me if they are pups and need all the usual things. I am new to all of this.. And, if I take out insurance does this cover normal vet bills or can I only claim over a certain ammount?

Nala

Pama and Delly, have a look at IrishAnimals.ie, loads of retrievers/retriever crosses on there looking for good homes! And they will more than likely have had all their injections/wormers and been neutered as well.